Panoramic elasticity ultrasound imaging

Abstract

Using compression, tissue elasticity data from two or more different fields of view is acquired. Since different amounts of compression may be used for the different fields of view, the dynamic range of the elasticity data is updated. A panoramic elasticity image is generated from the updated elasticity data of multiple fields of view. A panoramic elasticity image represents the combined fields of view for the elasticity data.

1. A method for elasticity ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
 acquiring first elasticity data with ultrasound for a first region corresponding to a first position of a transducer, the first elasticity data representing tissue stiffness in the first region derived from first axial motion between a first group of at least two frames of data; 
 moving the transducer from the first position to a second position, displacing a location in which to acquire elasticity data; 
 acquiring second elasticity data with ultrasound for a second region corresponding to the second position of the transducer, the second position and second region different than the first position and first region due to the moving, respectively, the second elasticity data representing tissue stiffness in the second region and derived from second axial motion between a second group of at least two frames of data; 
 distinguishing with a processor between moving the transducer in a general lateral direction from the first position to the second position and moving the transducer in a general axial direction for acquiring the first or second elasticity data; 
 updating the dynamic range of at least the first elasticity data; and 
 generating an image representing both first and second regions, the image being a function of the first and second elasticity data. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1  wherein acquiring the first elasticity data comprises scanning while applying pressure with the transducer against a patient while the transducer is maintained in the first position and wherein acquiring the second elasticity data comprises scanning while applying pressure with the transducer against the patient while the transducer is maintained in the second position. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1  wherein distinguishing comprises:
 determining a primary displacement between two or more frames of data; 
 decomposing the primary displacement into lateral and axial displacements; 
 combining the two or more frames in an extended field of view if the lateral displacement is greater than the axial displacement; and 
 generating the first or second elasticity data if the axial displacement is greater than the lateral displacement. 
 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1  wherein distinguishing comprises:
 determining a first correlation between two or more frames of data in the lateral direction; 
 determining a second correlation between the two or more frames of data in the axial direction; 
 combining the two or more frames in an extended field of view if the first correlation is greater than the second correlation; and 
 generating the first or second elasticity data if the second correlation is greater than the first correlation. 
 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1  wherein generating comprises determining an alignment of the first elasticity data with the second elasticity data as a function of B-mode data, and generating the image as a function of the alignment. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1  wherein generating comprises determining an alignment of the first elasticity data with the second elasticity data as a function of pre-detected data, and generating the image as a function of the alignment. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 1  wherein updating comprises:
 normalizing the first elasticity data; and 
 normalizing the second elasticity data; 
 wherein generating the image comprises generating the image as a function of the normalized first and second elasticity data. 
 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 determining an amount of correlation between frames of data; 
 selecting a map for the image as a function of the amount of correlation. 
 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 8  wherein determining the amount of correlation comprises determining a mean or variance of correlation between the frames of data, and wherein selecting a map comprises mapping the first and second elasticity data to the image where the amount of correlation is above a threshold and mapping B-mode data where the amount of correlation is below the threshold.